Jaleel McLaughlin delivered one of Week 4’s most jaw-dropping stat lines for the Cleveland Browns, needing a single snap to rip off a 28-yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was an explosive play that instantly became a highlight, but it also put a spotlight on the Browns’ curious offensive snap distribution, especially for their other playmakers.
The Watson Rollercoaster and a Backfield of Questions
The Browns offense finally broke through in the first half against the Steelers, dropping 21 points on the board in the second quarter. That cushion was absolutely clutch later on, even with some third-quarter stumbles, and the reliable leg of Andre Szmyt added two field goals to seal the deal. Quarterback Deshaun Watson had what you’d call a respectable outing, finishing 24-of-33 (72.7%) for 268 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Those 268 yards are actually his third-most in a single game for Cleveland, and he came up big on the final drive to set up the game-winning kick. But man, there were still a few head-scratchers: a strip-sack by T.J. Watt on a read option, an interception on the very next series, and a crucial miss of a wide-open Harold Fannin that could have iced the game way sooner. PFF gave him a 62.9 grade, which tells you there’s still work to do.
In the backfield, Quinshon Judkins got the bulk of the work with 42 snaps (66%), taking 17 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown, plus catching a career-high 6 passes for 43 yards. He looked a bit better this week, especially catching the ball in space. Raheim Sanders got 22 snaps (34%) for 2 carries and 2 catches. But the real story was McLaughlin. One snap, one carry, 28 yards, one touchdown. The blocking by the receivers on that play was absolutely beautiful, too. Despite some individual flashes, both Judkins and Sanders graded out horribly in their 9 pass-blocking snaps against the Steelers, according to PFF. That’s a huge area for improvement.
Wide Receiver Shuffle: Jeudy’s Shrinking Role and Emerging Targets
Over at wideout, things got interesting. Jerry Jeudy’s reps took another hit, dropping to just 24 snaps (38%) for the game. Despite the reduced playing time, he was 3-for-3 on his targets for 36 yards, and those were some big grabs late in the game. You’ve gotta hope the combination of winning and seeing how his timely catches can impact the game keeps him motivated, because the talent is undeniable. Denzel Boston played a massive 61 snaps (95%), pulling in 4 catches for 89 yards on 7 targets. Watson put two long balls right on the money for him that he couldn’t quite haul in, but the Browns stuck with him, and it paid off. His hands are incredible to watch, with that confidence he’ll secure those clutch catches. KC Concepcion also saw heavy usage with 59 snaps (92%), getting 6 catches for 43 yards. He got the ball in space and made a defender miss, which is a great sign for what’s to come once he gets more acclimated to the speed of the NFL. Malachi Corley played 14 snaps and Isaiah Bond 7, but neither registered any stats.
The Cleveland offense definitely showed some flashes against Pittsburgh, particularly in that 21-point second quarter, but questions linger about consistency. The reliable leg of Andre Szmyt closed it out, but the contrasting snap counts for guys like McLaughlin and Jeudy really underscore the evolving dynamics for this squad. Can they build on the positives and iron out the rough edges as the season rolls on? That’s what fans in Cleveland will be watching closely.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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